Olivier Coste Carignan Noir Je t'aime IGP Pays d'Oc 2020

The Carignan Noir grapes are organically grown in the Minervois, where the warm Mediterranean climate is influenced by the cooling effect of the sea, resulting in concentrated fruit with balanced freshness. The vineyard faces south and west, optimising exposure to the sun. The 60-year-old vines are pruned using the traditional Mediterranean Gobelet method, which allows shade from the leaves to protect the grapes from the sun. As a result of the vine age, the poor soils and the concentration sought by Olivier Coste, the vines are low-yielding, producing just 30 hectolitres per hectare. The 15-hectare vineyard is farmed in the traditional method, using mechanical tools rather than chemical herbicides to control weeds; pheromones are used rather than pesticides to reduce pests in the vineyard and grape pomace is employed as fertiliser to nourish the soils. To preserve the biodiversity of the vineyards, trees are continuously planted 2,000 to preserve and maintain the wildlife. The grapes are hand-harvested in the cool of the night to retain freshness and quality.